Kenworth trucks are renowned for their exceptional toughness. It does not mean that you may neglect all maintenance while using your Kenworth truck. To maximize the returns on your investment with the Kenworth truck, you must concentrate on routine repair and maintenance.
Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure the efficiency of your fleet of vehicles and prevent breakdowns. We have helped several customers create custom preventative maintenance schedules that are tailored to their fleets and the types of driving they do.
The following is a list of signs that your Kenworth truck likely needs maintenance or repair.
Oil light is on
A quick and easy way to avoid serious problems with your Kenworth truck is to check the levels of your engine oil, coolant, gearbox, brake, power steering, and other under-the-hood fluids. It's a good indication that you have a leak or consumption problem that you can fix before it becomes a significant issue if you see a fall in fluid level between inspections.
Always follow the manufacturer's directions for replenishing fluids. In the short run, you could save money by extending your fluids' life, but you'll spend a lot more on repairs and breakdowns in the long run.
Problems with tire pressure
Any Kenworth driver will tell you how important it is to regularly check the tire pressure on your Kenworth truck or tractor-trailer. Your tires are the primary point of contact with the road. Therefore you should always maintain adequate tire inflation to reduce uneven wear, increase fuel economy, and provide ideal traction, braking, and load-carrying capacity.
Uneven tire wear
Low tire pressure, alignment issues or suspension problems may all contribute to uneven tire wear. Checking your tires' condition and tread depth should be a part of your preventative maintenance schedule. We should all be aware of how dangerous a tire blowout on the road can be; therefore, check your tires often to reduce the cost, inconvenience, and risk of a rupture.
Problems with brakes
Make sure you can stop safely, especially when you're carrying a full load. Regularly inspect your brakes and replace them when they begin to exhibit wear. Check whether there is equal wear across all brakes.. This can signify that your brake system needs to be serviced or modified since it is out of balance and not providing the best braking performance.
Problems with air filters
Your engine will run more smoothly and use less fuel if your air filter is kept clean. Blocked filters allow less air to enter your engine, affecting power and fuel efficiency. Replace your air filter regularly if you frequently drive on sandy, dirty roads.
Problems with your battery
Long-distance driving and frequent stops and starts put a real strain on the electrical system of your Kenworth truck. Your battery, alternator, and electrical system should all be checked as part of your yearly maintenance schedule. A pre-winter check is an ideal strategy to reduce charging problems if you operate in a colder climate.
Problems with clutch and gearbox
High-torque engines and heavy loads strain your gearbox and clutch every time you go on the road. You can find problems early on by regularly checking your gearbox and ensuring it is in excellent operating condition. Additionally, you should check whether your clutch is moving since this might affect reliability and fuel economy.
Problems with exterior lights
Perform a brief walk-around examination of your exterior lights before you leave, looking for any burned-out bulbs and replacing them. As part of your preventative maintenance, ensure that your running, brake, signal, and warning lights are working correctly to avoid being stopped and wasting time due to a burnt bulb.
Problems with the fifth wheel
Your fifth-wheel platform may develop issues, which might cause you to go more slowly or even keep your truck off the road. Regularly inspect your platform and lubricate or modify it as necessary. Remove any collected debris from the platform mechanism, then check for signs of excessive wear or missing parts.
Maintenance issues
Maintenance on your Kenworth truck becomes more critical as it gets older. High-mileage oil may improve your vehicle's performance when the odometer hits 75,000 miles.
Why is high-mileage oil necessary? Because high mileage motor oil, in contrast to regular oil, includes conditioning agents and additives that might improve fuel efficiency, prevent leaks, and dissolve engine sludge! Additionally, the high mileage oil's unique properties provide additional lubrication, enabling your older vehicle's components and parts to function better.
Last words
It's a good idea to make your Kenworth truck maintenance routine unique to you. Because you know your vehicle, you can create the optimal truck maintenance schedule. Since each Kenworth trucking company has its unique fleet of Kenworth trucks and trailers, the preventive maintenance program for each of them must be customized to meet their needs.